It’s getting hotter by the day, and it’s definitely time to get your summer decor out. You know how you have a summer wardrobe and a winter wardrobe? Well, in Mumbai we have a summer wardrobe and… another summer wardrobe!.. but you know what I mean. It’s a great idea to have wardrobes by the season for your home too. You can change things around and give your place a new look every few months. It keeps things interesting and your home looking fresh. 

Summer Decor:

And how would you go about making your home look summer ready? For me, summer will always be about white, light and natural. It’s what keeps any space looking cool and airy. So here are my favourite summer decor tips and pics. Pick up a glass of cold nimbu-paani and enjoy the read. And I think by the end of it you’ll be inspired enough to try some of this out yourself.

(1) Keep It White:

White is the best colour for summer… I don’t think anyone can argue that. But if you’ve known me for a while, then you know that #moreismoredecor describes my style better than #minimalistic. I couldn’t do plain surfaces and straight lines even if I tried. So if I couldn’t use ‘more’ colour, I would compensate that by using lots ‘more’ texture and pattern.

Which is what I love about the vignette below. The brick wall, beautiful wood carving, lace, distressed wood furniture and patterns on the cushions… All white, and oh so interesting!

Source

Here’s another vignette with a similar story. I could have a home full of white furniture if it looked like this! You don’t miss the colour in this space because it’s bursting with texture and pattern instead.

Source

So pull out your white sheer curtains and layer your whites… Use loads of texture in your cushion covers, throws and rugs.. and your room is summer ready!

Source

(2) Keep It Light:

Summer decor doesn’t have to be all white. If you love colour, you must have it. After all, there are so many pretty pastels to pull out in the summer. It could be a hint of grey if you want to keep things neutral.

Source

Love how this one adds hints of blue to an all neutral set up with cushions and a few accessories. And love that border on the curtains!

Source

Even a bunch of flowers is a great way to add a little colour to your space. Remember the pale pink roses in our summer tablescape from last week?

Source

This bunch of flowers adds a summery yellow to this neutral living room.

Source

Basically, if you keep your furniture neutral, you can swap cushions, curtains and accessories to give your room a whole new look. And pastels is a great way to do it in summer.

Source

(3) Keep It Natural:

Cottons, linen, wood, cane, jute… natural materials, again teamed up with white.. is great for summer. I would use wood grains that are lighter, with natural polish rather than a dark stain.

Source

Accessorise with lamps, baskets and rugs in natural materials.

Source

Cane baskets are a favourite!

Source

My Home:

Do you remember this jungle themed room for Doll? We gave it a simple summer makeover.

Here we simply swapped the coloured sheets and cushions for whites and naturals.

The room looks so much lighter and brighter because of it.

A cane basket with greens on the side table… and a cap to protect Mr. Lion from a sunstroke. We’re set to face the summer, I think. 🙂

And sometimes, instead of dealing with a whole room, all you have to do is change a few vignettes. Changing the decor on a couple of tables or a sofa can be less intimidating than re-planning the entire room.

This simple summer vignette for instance. I covered the table in white. The vase has a bright red print on it, which I covered by giving it a ‘wardrobe change’. I just slipped the vase into that cloth bag and now it’s the perfect colour for this summer scene.

Add some dried flowers, a candle.. whatever you think will go with the ‘scene’ you’re creating… and we’re summer ready.

So whether you do a table or a room, have fun dressing up your home this summer. And I’m always looking for new ideas and tips… so share your summer decor stories with us in the comments below.

Until next time,